TRAFFIC improvements around Drake's Statue came under the spotlight this week, as the town's fire chief called for a re-think on the work. The £36,000 project, started last month and ordered by Devon County Council, was meant to improve road visibility and commissioned due to the number of accidents the county said had been recorded in the area. However, narrowing the road approaching the roundabout and altering the lay-out has caused traffic tail-backs and some claim have even caused accidents. The call from Tavistock residents for a re-think by the county council came on the same day there was a road collision between two cars near the Tavistock Cemetery entrance on the Plymouth Road last Friday, when the incident caused 30 minute delays for motorists coming in on the busy A386. Tim Smith, station commander for Tavistock Fire Station, who led firefighters dealing with the accident, is critical of the roadworks at Drake's Statue. He said his retained firefighters have been delayed in traffic hold-ups to get to their fire station to answer emergency calls because of the roadworks. Mr Smith said: 'The traffic has been reduced to one lane coming from Plymouth and approaching traffic cannot get through. 'Our firefighters have had problems a number of times getting to the fire station to attend emergency calls. This could have series consequences as it causes delays to getting to incidents. 'We have expressed our concerns to our divisional commander who will now be taking up the issue with Devon County Council.' Mr Smith said the road was now so narrow that larger vehicles negotiating the roundabout were forced to do 'three point turns' in the road, to swing around the roundabout. Plymouth Road resident Robin Coles described the traffic situation in the area as 'absolute chaos' after last Friday's incident. Mr Coles said: 'Because the traffic is backing up so much, the cars are not stopping quickly enough and slamming into the back of each other. This is the second accident outside my property in a week — there may be others further down the road that I am not aware of. 'I thought traffic management was about making sure the traffic flows properly, yet here they are narrowing the roads. 'At busy times the traffic backs right up Callington Road — but now, I think we will have to expect this more and more.' Mr Coles said the new narrow approach to Drake's Statue was making it increasingly difficult for large vehicles to negotiate the roundabout — and he was also concerned for cyclists and motorcyclists. 'They have having to pull right out in front of traffic coming up behind them — we all think about the dangers for lorries and coaches, but the implications for cyclists are just as dangerous. Town and borough councillor Ted Sherrell joined in the debate. He said: 'The road alterations at Drake Statue represent both the total disregard for local opinion and the scandalous waste of public money. An area which had very few accidents in the past is clearly being made more dangerous and more frustrating for drivers due to this ridiculous narrowing of the road.' A Devon County Council spokesman said: 'The changes to the Drake's roundabout layout are considered necessary following the injury accidents which were occurring. 'Between 2004 and 2006 there were seven collisions reported to the police, five of which involved slight injuries. 'Two of the collisions involved cars travelling the wrong way around the roundabout, two involved cars pulling out in front of a motor cyclist and pedal cyclist, and an analysis of the collisions concluded not all drivers were slowing sufficiently as they approached the roundabout. The spokesman said the changes should encourage drivers to slow down which should help reduce injuries. 'It can take time for drivers to familiarise themselves with new road layouts and the council will be monitoring collisions over the next few years,' said the spokesman. The roadworks were expected to be completed by the end of this week. l The accident outside Tavistock cemetery on Plymouth Road involved a Vauxhall Corsa and a Land Rover. A male driver of the Vauxhall Corsa suffered from suspected neck injuries and was released by firefighters and put on a spinal board before being taking to hospital by ambulance.
